The treasured last trumpet played by Dizzy Gillespie will have a starring role Saturday at a concert honouring the late jazz great.

Jens Lindemann, who plays gold-plated trumpets himself, says the historic instrument will not be played. It will be under a spotlight on Koerner Hall’s centre stage during the concert, which also will feature trumpeter Doc Severinsen and trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, who played with Gillespie.

“It will make the event even more moving,” Lindemann says.

“This is invaluable and on a par with any Stradivarius!”

The horn comes courtesy of trumpeter Arturo Sandoval whom Gillespie mentored and who was given the coveted trumpet for safekeeping. Sandoval, a Grammy award-winning player, is also a friend of the Edmonton-born Lindemann who now lives in California.

Lindemann describes Gillespie’s horn: “It looks like silver with a brushed gold finish — shiny and pristine with detailed filigree on the bell because it was custom made as a one of kind.”

The most significant detail of the trumpet is the dent in the “bell”, the opening end of the instrument, Lindemann says.

“The reason the bell is bent is because someone accidentally stepped on one of his horns years ago at a rehearsal. He liked the look and had his company build them that way from then on.”

The concert will also feature music from fellow jazz masters Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington It is part of the Royal Conservatory’s 2012-13 Season, TD Jazz Series.

Fancy trumpets don’t end with Gillespie’s instrument. Lindemann plays only on gold-plated instruments and owns 20 different trumpets.

When travelling, he carries four or five in a special carry-on case. Once an airline official tried to get him to check the bag and he said, “These are solid gold trumpets worth $4 million.”

He admits that was an overstatement as they are merely gold-plated and he remains coy about their cost.

He got the idea as a young musician from watching the Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass play and was intrigued by their shiny gold instruments.

For more than 20 years, the golden instruments have been his calling card as well. Recently, the musician whose guilty pleasure is the television show Pimp My Ride, had one of his trumpets “pimped” by a friend.

It has a deep sapphire blue finish and is decorated with gold filigree.

“People love the look of it,” Lindemann says. “There will be a lot of bling on stage.”

The three headliners will play solo with a 16-piece band as well as together.

“This will be a thrilling trumpet extravaganza. But there will also be a lot of intimacy,” Lindemann says.

“We won’t be just blasting, the real power of the instrument is to draw someone in.”

Just the facts

Jens Lindemann with Friends Doc Severinsen and Wycliffe Gordon

DATE: Sat. Jan. 12, 8 p.m.

VENUE: Koerner Hall

TICKETS: Starting at $45

PHONE: 416-408-0208

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